Resolution Year 2002
Resolution Number 4:
Improvement of Emergency Communications with Diverse Ethnic Groups
Whereas, The population of the United States is becoming more multicultural and the need is growing for quicker and more accurate communication with diverse ethnic groups in serious health emergencies such as food poisonings, product recalls, and suspected or actual bioterrorism situations, and
Whereas, One recent example involved a Class 1 recall of a fruity gel candy product that did not dissolve in the mouth, became lodged in the windpipes of a number of children, and was linked to 16 known deaths worldwide, and
Whereas, That candy product was manufactured in Asia and distributed in primarily Indian and Asian communities in this country where many of the inhabitants did not understand the English warnings and alerts put out through the various media outlets, and
Whereas, FDA and the local state health authorities have very limited resources available to provide quick and accurate translations of emergency messages in many of the foreign languages and dialects that might be needed, therefore be it
Resolved, That AFDO contact FDA and express concern regarding this emergency translation need and offer to assist in identifying a pool of potential translators, and be it further
Resolved, That AFDO propose to FDA that they (AFDO) survey their member agencies to identify individuals on staff, or known to the member agencies, who would be qualified in the languages and dialects specified by FDA, and willing to provide their translation expertise by phone, e-mail or fax when an emergency situation develops, and be it further
Resolved, That AFDO periodically update any listing that is developed and make access to it available to member agencies, if they have a need for such expertise in a localized emergency situation.
Board Recommendation: Approved as submitted, including friendly amendment by the President of CASA.
